The next night will be unusual.

Your sleep was relatively restful. This time there were no vivid, realistic dreams. The absolute darkness of your sleeping consciousness was only occasionally interrupted by rare, vague images. The image of a sword falling into some dark abyss. Blurred silhouettes of unknown persons. An image of a bowl filled with pure spring water. This water begins to gradually change. The clear liquid slowly turns into something dark red.

You wake up in a sarcophagus and immediately get up. Do you remember that today there will be a secret masquerade ball at the merchant’s mansion. Therefore, you quickly find the merchant Oran Van Tassel. He bustles around in one of the interior rooms of the mansion, finishing the final preparations for the masquerade ball. He is helped by several servants (these are young human men - each of them is about 20-23 years old).

The merchant orders his servants to help you dress in luxurious clothes that will suit the upcoming masquerade ball. Ten minutes later you are dressed in an expensive gilded silk camisole with gold cufflinks, elegant dark trousers made of satin fabric and comfortable leather men's shoes. A gilded mask is placed on your face, which is covered with elegant patterns.

When the servants leave for business in another room, you approach Oran.

You ask him, “Are you sure the servants won’t be a problem? They might tell someone about what’s going to happen in the mansion.”

Oran smiles. His double chin wobbles disgustingly.

He replies: “I choose my servants carefully. The combination of good pay and the threat of disappearing forever are the factors that make my servants taciturn. These guys know how one of their unfortunate predecessors ended his life. This knowledge makes them keep quiet. So, you don't have to worry, master!

You nod. For half an hour you walk through the separate rooms of the mansion.

Then, you return to the main room where the masquerade ball will take place.

What do you see?

Large, luxurious room. The bright light of lamps and chandeliers. Wide tables with drinks and gilded dishes that are filled with food. And an important point for you: there are no mirrors in the room. On the first day of your life, you ordered Oran to remove all the mirrors in the mansion.

You're a little late. The guests have already gathered. You see a couple of dozen persons, most of whom are dressed with provocative and tasteless luxury. Excessive gilding, glitter of precious stones and bright expensive fabrics. Each guest wears a fancy patterned mask on their face.

Among the guests, the number of women is clearly slightly greater than the number of men.

The hubbub of conversations. The rustle of dresses. Laughter and the sound of glasses colliding. The sound of music (the second pair of servants, who are located in the far corner of the room, play musical instruments).

Several servants move quickly between the tables, which are filled with a huge amount of food and drinks. Tables are placed along the walls. The center of the spacious hall is left free (obviously for dancing). Some of the guests are sitting at tables and eating. Some sit on sofas at the end of the hall and chat. Several couples are dancing in the center of the hall.

You see Oran Van Tassel, who is dressed in some ridiculously luxurious suit with an excess of gilding, emerald inlays and silk. On his face is a pompous mask with diamonds. However, you will unmistakably recognize him by his figure, by his manners and by his smell.

The guests' views of the merchant reflect the hidden contempt of most of them. You understand that for almost all of them, Oran Van Tassel is just a convenient tool to use. They take advantage of his wealth, his profitable contacts, his opportunities. And they also enjoy his futile attempts to get closer to their elite social circle.

You continue to watch as Oran obsequiously bows to some smartly dressed lady, whose face is hidden by an elegant mask inlaid with sapphires. Her elegant, fluffy dress contrasts with the luxurious and provocatively bright outfit of the merchant.

Probably, a sense of proportion and elegance are clearly not among the virtues of Oran. He strives so diligently to demonstrate his wealth to those around him that this obsessive desire betrays his inner feeling of inferiority.

You mentally chuckle as you see Oran leading this lady towards you. The sight of the fat merchant, who is dressed in ridiculously flamboyant and luxurious clothes, and this aristocratically elegant lady, whom he respectfully leads on his arm, causes such a great contrast that it is even comical.

When this couple approaches you, you ceremoniously bow to the lady. She primly returns your bow.

Oran introduces you to each other: “Allow me to introduce Lady Arianna Roswuth, a noble Baroness and the most passionate collector of exotic art that I have the honor of knowing. This charming young man is my close friend and trading partner. Sir Marcus..."

You see the sparkle of this woman's arrogant smile.

She asks in a melodious voice, “Are you a nobleman, Sir Marcus?”

You are trying to lie plausibly. Your knowledge that you received during your studies at the monastery helps you do this.

You answer: “My grandfather received hereditary nobility from the acrotarch of the city of Vaknaresh, which is located in the north of the Triune Kingdom of Kuzos. I'm new to this city and don't know the details of local customs very well. Therefore, I hope for leniency on the part of such a noble lady as you.”

The aristocrat's smile becomes a little wider.

You hear some relief in her voice: “What luck! I doubted the ability of our hospitable Oran to attract any new persons from the noble class to such entertaining festivities. Oran is more likely to be able to concentrate around itself even more representatives of the merchant class. Ser Marcus, your company will certainly enhance the atmosphere of this celebration!”

After the introduction ceremony, Lady Arianna Roswuth moves away from you to a group of the most elegantly dressed guests.

You notice that Oran's eyes darken slightly during your brief conversation with this noblewoman. It is not difficult for you to guess that behind the facade of outwardly polite communication there was hidden a sophisticated and mocking contempt for the merchant. And Oran clearly understands and feels this contempt. But he is **** to endure.

You quietly ask him: “Perhaps this lady is the most distinguished of your guests?”

He replies: “You are right. Most of the other guests are representatives of merchant families. There are still a few nobles. But they are poorer and less powerful than Lady Arianna. In addition to trading interests, I am connected with her in something else.”

The sound of music and the noise of conversations make it difficult for any of the guests to overhear your conversation. But you still try not to speak too loudly.

You ask the question: “What else are you connected to her?”

Oran is embarrassed. You see how his double chin turns slightly red from the flow of blood.

He says: “She is a widow. I would like... I thought... About the possibility..."

You continue: “About the possibility of marrying her in order to increase your own social status and material opportunities.”

The merchant just nods in response.

You say: “It is extremely unlikely that your ambitious intention will come true. I think you yourself understand that she is using you and that she despises you. You're just a funny bag of money to her."

Having said these true but cruel words, you leave Oran. You go to dance a little in the center of the hall.